The Henry Clay Memorial Foundation has announced the recipient of the Henry Clay Medallion for Distinguished Service is Princess Haya of Jordan, the wife of Sheikh Mohammed.
Princess Haya is the first international recipient of the award, which recognizes and celebrates individuals who share characteristics with the life and work of Henry Clay and for their distinguished service to the public.
Past recipients are Thomas D. Clark (1993), Thomas S. Foley (1995), Sandra Day O’Connor (1996), Wendell H. Ford (1997), Trent Lott (1998), Edward T. Breathitt (1999), William T. Young (2000), Lucille Caudill Little (2001), William S. Farish (2002), Robert E. Turner (2004), Hilary J. Boone, Jr. (2006) and Mitch McConnell and Elaine Chao (2006 joint recipients).
The medallion was presented to Princess Haya by Dr. D. Kay Clawson, president of the Henry Clay Memorial Foundation at an awards ceremony at the Governor’s Mansion in Frankfort Sept. 17.
First Lady Jane Beshear and John Long, CEO of the United States Equestrian Federation and chair of the 2010 World Games Foundation, were featured speakers.
Upon receiving the award, HRH Princess Haya spoke eloquently of the legacies of Henry Clay and her late father, King Hussein of Jordan and the ongoing work of Sheikh Mohammed and the importance of Kentucky to him.
Princess Haya, who is president of the International World Equestrian Federation, also spoke of her own affection for Kentucky, her great love for horses, and how throughout the centuries, they have brought people of different cultures together through a mutual love of the animal and equestrian sport.